Brown fumes at referee Coote

Southend manager Phil Brown left Glanford Park seething for the second time this season, as his side were denied a late penalty by referee David Coote.

Luke Williams’ challenge on Shrimpers’ substitute Jamar Loza in the penalty area angered the visitors, but their appeals were waved away by the man in the middle.

“It was not a good day at the office today by any stretch of the imagination,” Brown told the press post match.

“As far as I’m concerned, we had an opportunity to get something from the game. There’s a man in there who has a duty to referee the game fairly and I need to know why he didn’t give that penalty.

“We didn’t deserve to win – and good luck to Scunthorpe and good luck to Andy Dawson – but as far as I’m concerned, there was a possible lifeline. You’ve still got to score the penalty. But if you come away from here with a 1-1 draw, all this talk of never getting anything at Glanford Park can be put to bed.”

Brown was also left reeling after the fourth official revealed he was from Doncaster.

“When the guy who is the fourth official says with a smile on his face that he’s from Doncaster, that gets me going a little bit.

“I’ve got 20 minutes to wait before I can go and see the referee but I need an answer”.